I Speak For The Trees

Joyapa, growing in the Reserva Ecologioc Alto Choco, Imbabura Province.  Joyapa, of which there are about 70 species divided between the genera Psammisia and Thibaudia, are native to the cloud forests from Costa Rica south to Peru, with the highest concentration of species occuring in Ecuador above 2400 meters of elevation.  Joyapa are characterized by glossy, medium to dark green lanceolate, coriaceous (leathery) leaves with pinnate veins, and waxy flowers with long umbels, borne in clusters of three to twenty, and normally in the red-orange colour range.  Depending on species, they may be erect shrubs, vines, or small trees.  Deep purple berries about the size of pincherries follow the flowers.  Joyapa are pollinated by hummingbirds.  Cultivation is by seed, although outside of cloud forest conditions, Joyapa do not grow well and may not flower.  They prefer moist, free-draining soils of neutral pH, partial sunlight to bright shade, and abundant water, although they will not tolerate wet feet.

The berries are edible, with a neutral, sweet flavour, and useful as jungle-survival food.  The rarity of Joyapa plants as well as the short shelf-life has prevented them from becoming a commercial fruit.